A/N: Happy St. Patrick's Day to you all- especially you lovely Irish readers! I got an update for you all for the honour of the day. It was meant to be fluffy; but I couldn't resist a bit of angst and plot at the end. And Richard and Geoff's backstories are explored a little bit too.

I listened to Celtic Woman, Dear Boss, Luke's theme and the Uilleann pipes whilst writing this chapter.

Disclaimer: Richard Wilson, Geoffrey Heron, John Wendell and William Rose belong to me. Everyone else to their respective owners.

Meanwhile, Richard and Geoff were grinning as they headed into the tunnel where their engine was hiding. "Can't believe it's St. Paddy's Day, already." Geoffrey commented to his fireman, fiddling with a green ribbon tied around his wrist.

"I know," Agreed Richard, who had opted to wear an old green brooch inherited from his parental grandfather. "We've been with Luke for how long now?"

"It's been nearly three years since we left Ireland," Said his friend, scratching his head.

"I remember I knew Luke three months before you came," Richard added, peeking in the tunnel. "Luke, you awake lad?" he called softly.

A soft wheeshing answered his question. The two friends beamed at each other before they entered the tunnel, where Luke was waiting for them.

"Luke, you know what today is?"

"Yes, of course I do," Replied Luke, his smile the widest they had seen in weeks-months, even. "No self -respecting Irishman could forget."

"Happy St. Patrick's Day!" The trio chorused at the same time, and they all started to laugh. That never failed to make them feel all was right with the world; even during the hard times.

"Gosh, it's hard to believe how far we've come," Said Richard. "Me…. From being an undertaker's clerk in England to here."

"I know, mate," Agreed Geoffrey. "And I… well, it didn't turn out how I thought it would, but I'm glad life brought the three of us together."

"Amen!" Luke piped up, staring out of the tunnel longingly. "Mr. Heron, Mr. Wilson… this might be a bit risky… but I want to get out of the tunnel and see the others."

Geoffrey and Richard were aware that there was conflict going on outside, and they were reluctant to expose Luke to that; but they also didn't have the heart to refuse…. After all, no one wanted to spend a whole day being patriotic and dwelling on the past in a dark and damp tunnel alone.

"Well, I guess it'd be alright," Decided Geoffrey. "Paxton's just headed out, so…"

"I just don't understand why I can't be friends with him. If he knew about me, it'd be fairer on him and much easier for me to get about," huffed Luke.

"I know; but Skarloey warned us that Paxton is prone to unintentionally blabbing secrets to people who shouldn't be told." Richard pointed out, reasonably.

"So does Peter Sam; and yet he's being trusted." Geoffrey said.

"Peter Sam has limited access to places on the NWR, Geoff. You know that." Richard said warningly.

"I'm sorry I asked." Luke cut in, hoping to spare his crew from quarreling on this most sacred day. "Please, may I leave?"

The two men agreed, and steamed Luke up, ready to take him out for a run.

…..

Mr. Bailey and Skarloey were chatting when Luke came chuffing towards them.

"Luke! What are you doing? Is there something wrong?" Asked Skarloey in concern. Lately, Luke rarely ventured out of the tunnel of his own volition.

"Easy, Skarloey," Said Mr. Bailey, looking over at Luke. John Wendell, Skarloey's driver, and his fireman, William Rose, both peeked out of their engine's cab, and looked at first each other, and then at Luke and his crew.

"I think I know what it is," Said Mr. Wendell, smiling affectionately at a beaming Luke. "Is it..."

"Happy St. Patrick's Day!" Luke trilled, blowing his whistle cheerfully.

"I knew it." Mr. Wendell finished, still grinning. "Day of St. Paddy, it is," he said to Skarloey and Mr. Rose, good-naturedly, before turning to Luke. "Afraid none of us have anything green for the cause." He said apologetically.

"That's alright," Smiled Luke. "I'm not even worried."

Skarloey was pleased that Luke seemed to be looking and feeling a lot better than he had in a long time, and he wished Luke a good St. Patrick's Day. Luke beamed, and rushed off to wish the other engines the same; whilst Skarloey was left deciding that perhaps… perhaps now might be a good time to patch things up with the others.

"Happy St Patrick's Day Peter Sam! Happy St. Patrick's Day Sir Handel!" Whistled Luke to Peter Sam and Sir Handel.

"But we don't"-

"Thank you, Luke!" Peter Sam interrupted his older brother before he could say anything else. "And a Happy St. Patrick's Day to you too!" He added, beaming at his cousin.

Shyly, Luke smiled back at his friends before dashing off to catch up with Rusty and Rheneas, who were heading along the line past them.

….

"Happy St. Patrick's Day!" Luke peeped; much to the surprise of the other two engines.

"Oh, thank you Luke," Said Rusty, feeling cheered up after having so much to deal with already earlier that morning. "And a Happy St. Patrick's Day to you too."

….

Luke whistled the greetings of the day to the workmen and to Merrick; the former wished him the same in return, whilst Merrick just mumbled something in his sleep and then resumed his snoring. The little Irish tank engine wasn't deterred by this response, however; he was feeling satisfied that most of his friends had been greeted satisfactorily; but this just left three of his friends- Owen, Rheneas, and Duncan to wish a Happy St. Patrick's Day.

….

As it turned out, Rheneas was working with Owen on the Upper Terrace, so Luke had the time of his life going along there, feeling the warm sunshine on the face and the sound of gelignite exploding in the distance, still unable to shake the mighty Blue Mountain.

"Happy St. Patrick's Day Owen! Happy St. Patrick's Day, Rheneas!" Luke tooted, pulling up to his two best friends (besides Mr. Heron and Mr. Wilson, of course!)

"Gahh!" Rheneas spluttered with shock, nearly biffing some of his trucks off the top of the incline. Truth be told, he was cross with Luke for startling him. He was still angry with Skarloey, and the last thing he needed was to end up in both Mr. Percival and Skarloey's bad books for an accident.

"Luke! Watch what you're doing!" He snapped crossly, scowling. "I nearly sent those trucks flying! The Upper Terrace is dangerous! You shouldn't be distracting other engines who are working!"

"That's enough, Rheneas!" Boomed Owen. He saw that poor Luke was hurt and downcast at his friend's outburst, and he felt bad. He realized that Luke had been a bit impulsive; but the little engine had been trying to be kind, and he appreciated it.

"It's alright, Luke," Owen said, softly. "I appreciate the gesture. Happy St. Patrick's Day."

This cheered the little Irish engine up a bit; he was glad at least Owen didn't mind the interruption. But he also felt he was the reason Rheneas nearly had an accident; and not wanting to be the reason why more accidents were occurring in the Blue Mountain Quarry, Luke decided to leave.

"I better go," he decided, his soft accent laced with sadness. "I'm clearly in the way… I'm sorry, Rheneas. I'm sorry, Owen."

Owen glared at the little old engine, who realized that he'd made a huge mistake; and had hurt one of his dearest friends in the process. "Luke, please wait," he said, quietly. Luke paused, hovering uncertainly as he watched the older engine take a deep breath.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you. I… I just had a rough fight with Skarloey this morning, and I'm still pretty wound up about it. But that's no excuse for my poor behaviour. I'm sorry for being cross with you- I had no reason to be. I do appreciate you trying to be nice." He said, benevolently. "I should have been more acknowledging of your kindness."

"I forgive you, Rheneas," Luke replied, sweetly. "I just hope you and Skarloey make friends again."

"We always do," mused Rheneas in reply. "And…. A Happy St. Patrick's Day to you, too."

"Thank you, Rheneas," Said his little Irish friend, his buck toothed smile warming the older engine's smokebox.

"Hey, have either of you seen Duncan?" he added.

"Well, he'll be…." Rheneas frowned. "I mean, I did see him earlier. Rusty helped rearrange jobs so we'd get a breath of fresh air, so to speak. Rusty's taking over my runs; but I haven't seen Duncan since Rusty rearranged our jobs."

"Nor have I," agreed Owen, "and it's pretty hard to miss anyone from up here."

"I agree," Said Luke, frowning. "This is unusual."

"Not so unusual." Rheneas pondered. "He might be in hiding."

Luke frowned. "Why would he be in hiding?" he asked in concern.

"No idea," Replied Owen, who was suddenly looking very worried at the realization of Duncan's disappearance. "He's usually easy to hear too, considering how loud the gelignite is up here."

The two engines, despite their concerns, were finding themselves fighting a losing battle to refrain from chuckling at the image.

"If we might be permitted to speak," Said Geoffrey, dramatically.

"-and you may," Said the two engines in tandem.

"-Rich and I heard something about Rusty being concerned for Duncan's wellbeing."

"I only hope I'm not affecting him in any way," Worried Luke. "I'm going back down to look for him."

"Good idea," Agreed Owen.

"Let us know when you find him," Added Rheneas. "Good luck."

"He's Irish- since when did he need more luck?" Joked Owen, trying to lighten the mood. Luke rolled his eyes good naturedly, but Richard beat him to a response.

"I think Luke's good luck is neutralizing Geoffrey's bad luck." He said wryly.

The others chuckled at this joke; before Luke set off back down to the Main Terrace to find Duncan and ask him what was wrong.